Archive — US — techcrunch
Hermes agent maker Nous Research in talks for new funding at $1.5B valuation
Nous Research, creator of the Hermes agent, is seeking new funding led by Robot Ventures, achieving a $1.5 billion valuation. The company aims to raise at least $75 million shortly after its $50 million Series A round. Founded in 2023, Nous has attracted significant interest for its open-source agent technology that facilitates automation and interaction via platforms like Telegram and Discord.
Key points
- Nous Research is finalizing a new funding round at a $1.5 billion valuation, led by Robot Ventures and including USV.
- The company aims to raise at least $75 million, indicating strong investor interest.
- Founded in 2023, it previously raised $70 million from various investors.
- Nous Research developed Hermes, an open-source agent with built-in skills for tasks like web searching and coding.
- Hermes can operate locally on PCs or via a cloud-hosted solution with subscription plans ranging from $20-$200 per month.
- The new funding will expand Hermes products and business offerings.
Why it matters
- The growth of AI agents aligns with the 2025 trend of increasing automation and user-friendly AI interfaces.
- Hermes's success parallels the rise of decentralized computing in tech, showcasing how open source can drive innovation in AI.
- The popularity of tools like Hermes is reflective of a broader shift in software development towards providing customizable and scalable solutions.
Nous Research's funding efforts underscore the rising demand for innovative AI solutions like Hermes, potentially shaping the future of computational agents and automation in everyday tasks.